Constitution Day Events To Focus On History, Meaning For West Virginia Citizens

9/15/2010

Charleston, W.Va. – The United States Constitution and the rights it guarantees citizens will be the focus of events from Mannington to Bluefield on September 17.

Officially, September 17 is “Constitution Day and Citizenship Day.” Before an amendment by longtime West Virginia Senator Robert C. Byrd in 2004, the day was known simply as Citizenship Day.

On this day, all publicly funded schools provide educational materials on the Constitution. Schools across West Virginia have programs planned to help their students learn more about the Constitution and the rights it guarantees them.

They will be learning about the Bill of Rights as well as the 26th Amendment – spearheaded by West Virginia Senator Jennings Randolph that guaranteed 18-year-olds the right to vote.

On September 17, Secretary of State Natalie E. Tennant will speak about the role of the executive branch of state government at the West Virginia Constitution Day Celebration at the Robert C. Byrd Federal Courthouse in Charleston.

At Mannington Middle School in Marion County, Secretary of State Outreach Specialist Samantha Holvey will take part in an assembly and present the school with a West Virginia state flag.

At Bluefield State College in Mercer County Secretary of State Outreach Coordinator Richard Gillespie will participate in a forum with faculty, students, and the public about what the Constitution means for West Virginia. That event will be held at the Hebert Gallery in the Harris-Jefferson Student Center starting at 9:30 AM.

For more information on the history of Constitution Day and educational materials, visit the National Constitution Center’s website at www.constitutioncenter.org.